Camperships make summer camps for kids affordable

So it’s time to consider shipping off the little creatures…er, enriching my children’s summer experience through summer camps for kids that offer an array of fun choices. Sending the kids to sailing and boat camp seemed like a good idea at first but the bill for to weeks, two kids, was as much as my first semester of college tuition back in 1988 at a state college.

While kayaking and playing a pirate version of Capture the Flag is enriching, it’s not quite worth 1/8 of mommy’s B.A. in Political Science (magna cum laude, but who’s keeping track?). How can parents cut the cost of art camp, music camp, fitness camp, film camp, or other enrichment programs?

Camperships – Scholarships and Grants for Summer Camps for Kids

Whether you’re sending a child off to a weight loss camp to help improve self-esteem and fitness, or robotics camp to feed his or her inner geek (that’s a compliment in this house), finding the money can be a struggle. Most parents know that the first place to turn is the camp director – many camps offer “camperships” that cover all or part of the cost.

If that doesn’t work, there are funds from specific groups, such as One Happy Camper, a foundation to provide grants for kids to attend Jewish camps. The YMCA offers quite a bit of subsidized day camp for members, and families don’t need to be members when applying.

Money for Summer Camp as Child Care

If you need to use day camp or overnight camp specifically as a form of child care so you can work or go to college or advanced training, the price of camp may be tax deductible, helping to ease the financial burden. Dependent Savings Accounts run by larger employers can help defray the cost, but families need to enroll during the employer’s annual enrollment period and may not be prepared to make summer camp choices for the following year at that point. Check with your tax advisor or accountant for specifics before signing up for any summer camps for kids.

Camp Wannabethere might be awesome for kids, but Camp Cantpaythebill is a horrible experience for parents. Look to these programs and others promoted in print (especially regional parenting magazines) and online to get the best value out of your child’s camp experience.